ABAP OPEN: SALUDAR EYES RETURN TO NATIONAL POOL
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 Feb 2013
MAASIN CITY (PNA) ? Comebacking Victorio Saludar used a short one minute workout against an untested local boy Michael Kaibigan to recapture his seat in the national training pool Friday at the closing of the PLDT-ABAP National Open Boxing Championships at the Maasin City Gym here.
Saludar, coming out of an almost two-year hibernation following a bronze medal finish in the 2010 Asian Games, proved too unfriendly to his host as he mercilessly pounded on Kaibigan from the opening bell on, forcing his opponent to a mandatory eight-count twice en route to a referee stopped victory that would earn him a recommendation from the national coaching staff for membership in the Philippine team that will carry the country?s colors in coming international commitments starting with the coming Southeast Asian Games this December.
The now 21-year-old Saludar, the youngest of the three Saludar boxing brothers was relentlessly pummeling Kaibigan with combinations when the referee put a stop to the onslaught after only one minute and 10 seconds of the scheduled three-round gold medal fight for the 49-kilogram crown.
?Yes, we sure will recommend him for re-inclusion in the national training pool, hindi pa masyadong impressive kasi unang laban pa lang niya mula sa injury, pero yun lang naman ang kondiyong ibinigay sa kanya ni Si Ed (ABAP executive director Ed Picson) para makabalik siya,? national coach Ronald Chavez said after Saludar?s win.
Saludar abandoned the ABAP camp months after his medal-winning performance in the Guangzhou Asiad in China claiming injury to his hand, among others, as the reason.
Saludar, thus, led 19 other gold medal winners in Friday?s grand finals of the five-day meet hosted for the first time by this bustling city headed by Mayor Maloney Samaco.
The victors would have actually earned, too, slots in the training pool, but Chavez said their performances will still be closely monitored depending on how many seats will be given by the funding Philippine Sports Commission.
Five of Friday?s winners, including Saludar, belonged to the elite division in the 18-22-year category that will be given priority in the recommendation to be submitted to the ABAP board headed by president Ricky Vargas and chair Manny V. Pangilinan.
Also in the elite list are Jay Ar Inson of Davao del Norte, RSC winner over Richard Bacala of Maasin in the 64-kg. level; Jolan Bunghanoy of Davao del Norte , points winner over Genisis Libranza (52-kg); Quirino Mellejor Jr. of, also of Davao, victor over Reoxyl Tabogon of Cebu; and Risty Apas of Davao, over Daryl Ramos (60-kg.) of Maasin.
Five of the eventual gold medalists were in the distaff youth girls class (17-18) age bracket ? Jossa Sanestiban of Bago City, Alexcel Dargantes of General Santos City, Maasin?s Ruby Nicanor, Beverly Casero and Cristy Jane Rivals.
Ten other winners competed under the 15-16 bracket ? Jeffrey Estella, John Patrick Dinolan Kenneth Paul Gentalla, Hipolito Banal Jr., Michael John Bahena, Presco Carcosia, Angelou Plania, Mario Bautista, Levawil Savines and Marquil Salvana.
Others qualified for recommendation to the pool are in the youth (17-18) class ? Gabrie4l Rabicycle, Aaldrfen Moreno, Argie labado, Jeson Umbal and James Palicte.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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